One in Christ, Living Our Charism: A New Chapter of Leadership

We recently gathered for our 32nd General Chapter, a sacred time of prayer, discernment, and renewal. Guided by the theme “Living our future together in Faith, Hope & Courage,” the Chapter began with an eight-day silent retreat rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. In the quiet rhythm of prayer, Eucharist, and spiritual accompaniment, we listened deeply to the Spirit and to one another.

The days that followed were filled with attentive listening, heartfelt discussion, and openness to God’s Spirit among us. There was a sense of hope and energy as we emerged from the Chapter, renewed in our call: We are one in Christ, Living Our Charism.

With courage and gratitude, we now step forward together under the guidance of our newly elected General Leadership Team, whom we are pleased to introduce.

 

Sr Patricia Lenihan

Sr. Patricia joined the Congregation in September 1991. After completing her initial formation in Dublin, she was missioned to Scotland to work as a pastoral assistant in a parish on a housing estate in Glasgow.  In 1997 she began her studies in theology.  In 2001 she was missioned to Birkenhead where she worked as the Disabilities Co-ordinator for the Diocese of Shrewsbury.  From 2005 – 2007 she was the Vocations Director for the English/Scottish Province before being elected to the General Leadership Team. She was re-elected in 2013 and elected as Congregational Leader in 2019.

 

Sr Geraldine Hamukale

Sr. Geraldine Hamukale is from Zambia and was professed in 1996, she made final vows in 2002.  She trained at Charles Lwanga College of Education and Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin. She has taught at both Primary (4 years) and Secondary (1 year) Schools. In 2008 -2009 she trained in Formation and Leadership at the Institute of Religious Formation at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago and was Novice Director from 2009 to 2019 in both Zambia and Nigeria. During the same period, she was also engaged in Facilitation, Presentation, Vocation Assessment for other Congregations and Spiritual Direction to novices from other Congregations. Since 2019, she has been serving on the General Leadership Team.

 

Sr Jacinta Boland

Sr Jacinta Boland joined the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1968. Before qualifying as a Registered Nurse in 1977 she worked in various ministries in the Congregation. Upon qualifying, she moved to the English Scottish Province where she worked in the rehabilitation unit in St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney. Over the years Jacinta undertook took various courses at the Industrial Society in London and the Institute of Group Analysis. She qualified as a Counsellor and Spiritual Director before undertaking training in Discernment and Vocation Ministry. Jacinta served as a member of the Provincial Team for eight years before being appointed as Provincial for the English/Scottish Province in 2001. She served in this role for twelve years. In 2019 Jacinta was elected to the General Leadership Team.

 

 

Sr Lweendo Moonga

Sr Lweendo is from the Zambia/Malawi Region and is based in Kabwe in central Zambia. She is a secondary school teacher, specialising in English and History, and is currently Head Teacher of Caritas Convent School, a girls’ school located near her community, Caritas Community. Sr Lweendo also serves as the regional contact person for Care of the Earth, coordinating efforts in sustainability and ecological awareness.

 

 

Sr Rachael Jikavworu

Sr Rachael was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and entered the Congregation in August 2002. She made her first profession of vows in September 2005. A registered nurse and midwife, she studied at the School of Midwifery, St Camillus Hospital, Uromi, Edo State, and at the State School of Nursing, Agbor, Delta State, and she also holds a diploma in theology. Sr Rachael is engaged in the health ministry and currently works in Bomadi, Delta State, where she serves as local leader of her community and as a member of the Nigerian Regional Leadership Team.

 

We give thanks for the generosity and willingness of these Sisters to serve. As they begin their ministry of leadership, we hold them in prayer, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them in their service to the Congregation and to the mission entrusted to us by our foundress Mary Aikenhead.